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Jose tracks away from New England coast, but warnings, watches still in effect

(WHDH) — A tropical storm warning is in effect for the coast of southern New England as Jose tracks north toward Massachusetts. Despite the shift in the storm’s “cone of uncertainty,” many weather-related concerns and dangers are in place for coastal locations.

As of noon on Tuesday, Jose was located about 300 miles from Nantucket and moving north at 7 mph. The storm is expected track northeast, avoiding a direct hit on the region. Tuesday night, it was downgraded to a topical storm.

The storm’s impact has already been felt is some areas. On Sunday, five people were knocked off a coastal jetty in Rhode Island by high surf caused by Jose.

Capt. Nelson Upright of the Narragansett Fire Department told WPRI-TV the injuries in Rhode Island ranged from minor to “pretty major.” He says rescuers had to fight through rough surf to load the injured onto stretchers and get them to shore. All five were taken to a hospital.

A tropical storm warning has been issued for Massachusetts’ South Coast, South Shore, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Cape Cod and the Islands, as Hurricane Jose moves near. The warning also covers coastal areas in Rhode Island.

The storm, which forecasters believe will behave like a nor’easter, is expected to bring strong winds out of the northeast, heavy rain, dangerous surf, rip currents, rough seas, flooding and beach erosion. Jose is expected to produce total rain accumulations of .5 to 1 inch over southeast Massachusetts through Thursday. Nantucket could see 3 inches of accumulated rain.

Cape Cod and the Islands are expected to see the greatest impact before the storm turns off shore Thursday. A flash flood watch has been issued.

The National Hurricane Center says little change in strength is expected in the next 24 hours, although the storm will slowly weaken afterward. Boston, Metrowest, Worcester and North Shore areas will see an inch of rain at most.

Coast Guard officials stationed in the Northeast warned New Englanders to stay out of the water as 20-30 foot seas could pose life-threatening conditions for mariners.

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